A large international study has found that many breast cancer patients can safely avoid chemotherapy with the help of a gene test called Prosigna. The OPTIMA trial followed more than 4,400 patients across the UK, Norway, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand. Researchers found that patients aged 40 and above with hormone-sensitive breast cancer and a low Prosigna score had similar outcomes whether they received chemotherapy or only hormone therapy. After five years, 94.8% of patients who received chemotherapy and hormone therapy were cancer-free, compared with 93.6% of those treated with hormone therapy alone. Experts said the findings could change treatment practices and help over 5,000 NHS patients each year avoid unnecessary chemotherapy and its side effects. The results will be presented at the ASCO 2026 meeting. (PC: AI Generated)

7 Asiatic lions have died in Gujarat's Gir Forest after being infected by a suspected virus. Officials believe the disease may be Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), but tests are still underway. 17 lions have been placed in quarantine, and eight have tested positive for the infection. The Gujarat government has launched an emergency response to stop the disease from spreading. Around 250 forest staff and 12 veterinarians are monitoring and treating the animals. Health checks are being carried out across the Gir region. Authorities say no new cases have been found outside the affected areas so far.

Russia has announced the development of a new Ebola vaccine that could potentially protect against multiple virus strains, including the rare Bundibugyo variant linked to outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The claim was made by Mikhail Murashko and highlighted by the Russian Embassy in South Africa. The development comes as health authorities seek broader protection against Ebola variants beyond the Zaire strain, which current vaccines primarily target. The Bundibugyo strain is considered particularly dangerous because of its high fatality rate and limited outbreak history. Scientists and public health experts are expected to closely evaluate the vaccine's effectiveness and supporting clinical data. (PC: X)

Fear is growing across eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo as a deadly Ebola outbreak continues to spread, with officials reporting more than 130 suspected deaths and over 500 possible cases. Health authorities say the virus may have been circulating undetected for weeks before the outbreak was officially identified in April. The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which is harder to detect than previous strains, has now spread to several towns and cities, including Goma and Butembo. Poor healthcare access, conflict, misinformation and delayed reporting are making efforts to contain the outbreak increasingly difficult for authorities and aid agencies. (PC: BBC)

The World Health Organization has warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo may be spreading faster than first thought. At least 131 people have died, and more than 513 suspected cases have been reported. One death has also been confirmed in neighbouring Uganda. WHO officials said the virus has spread to other provinces and across borders. There is no approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain causing the outbreak. Health workers are sending medicines and protective equipment to affected areas. Governments in the region have tightened border checks and urged people to report symptoms quickly. (PC: BBC)

The World Health Organization has warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo may be spreading faster than first believed. At least 131 people have died, while more than 500 suspected cases have been reported. The outbreak has also reached neighbouring Uganda, where one death has been confirmed. WHO officials said the virus may have spread across borders and into new provinces before being detected in April. Health experts fear the actual number of infections could be much higher. Authorities across the region are tightening border checks and increasing health surveillance to prevent further spread of the deadly virus. (PC: BBC)

At least 100 people have died in an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with over 390 suspected cases reported so far. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak an international public health emergency as fears grow over regional spread.   The outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment. Uganda has also confirmed two cases and one death. US health authorities said six Americans were exposed during the outbreak, though infections have not been confirmed. Several countries, including Rwanda and Nigeria, have tightened screening and surveillance measures. (PC: BBC)

The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo a public health emergency of international concern after the virus spread to neighbouring Uganda. Around 246 suspected cases and 80 deaths have been reported in Ituri province, with confirmed infections also detected in Kinshasa and Goma. WHO warned the outbreak could become much larger due to population movement and regional instability. The current Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccine or treatment. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there are “significant uncertainties” about the true scale of infections. (PC: BBC)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” after rising infections and deaths linked to the rare Bundibugyo virus strain. Health officials reported over 240 suspected cases and around 80 suspected deaths, with confirmed infections spreading from eastern Congo to Uganda’s capital Kampala. WHO warned the outbreak is especially dangerous because no approved vaccine or specific treatment currently exists for this strain. Ongoing conflict, population displacement, and weak healthcare systems in the affected regions are complicating containment efforts and increasing fears of wider regional spread. (PC: AFP)

The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern Ituri province a global health emergency after cases spread into neighbouring Uganda. WHO said around 246 suspected cases and 80 deaths have been reported so far, with eight laboratory-confirmed infections linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. Health officials warned the true scale of the outbreak may be wider due to population movement, mining activity and cross-border travel. Authorities in DR Congo and Uganda have been urged to strengthen surveillance, isolate infected patients and improve emergency response measures to contain further spread. (PC: BBC)